Which Curling Iron Size Do You Need? A Brief Overview

Ever wonder how people who don't have curly hair achieve those curly styles? Often, the size of their curling iron's barrel plays a significant role in their looks! But which type of curling iron is best for your hair?

Whether you're figuring out if you want a career in hair or are ready to start a hair design program, you should know about common curling iron sizes and what kind of curl you can expect with each.

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Preparing to Curl Your Hair

Before curling, you need to set yourself up for success. Here are some ways to do that:

  • Make sure your hair is totally dry.
  • Add a heat protectant. ALWAYS do this before curling!
  • Divide the hair instead of going all willy-nilly. The number of sections determines how tight or loose the curls are. The fewer sections, the looser the curl – but the higher the volume.

1.5" Curling Iron

The 1.5"-barrel curling iron is textbook for loose, voluminous curls, typically in long hair. The key is to create pretty tight curls upfront, then let them fall throughout the day, ultimately turning into a tousled look with tons of body.

This type of curling iron is best for long hair.

1.25" Curling Iron

The 1.25" barrel creates slightly tighter curls than the 1.5" option, so the style lasts longer and appears effortless and natural.

For best results, use a 1.25" curling iron on medium-to-long hair.

1" Curling Iron

If you were to invest in only one curling iron for the rest of your life, pick one with a 1" barrel. This size allows you to achieve multiple looks, from ringlets to waves and everything in between.

A 1" curling iron works on all hair lengths.

0.75" Curling Iron

You may think that because of a 0.75" curling iron's small size, you're limited to small curls. However, you can decide how tight or loose your curls are by varying how many sections you divide your hair into. For particularly romantic curls, change the direction you curl as you go. Even better, these ringlets naturally widen as days pass – no need to wash your hair daily to ensure it looks purposefully styled.;

A 0.75" curling iron works for all hair lengths and types. If you have curly hair, this barrel size can help make each lock look how you want.

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